Kingston Estate♡

Exceptional

10.0

One can't imagine more english place. I loved it!

9.0

not applicable, self catering property

− Steep stairs. With small children not so safe.

Passable

5.0

A very peaceful location the accommodation was comfortable, but was tricky to find

7.0

The location was very peaceful and quiet

− There was no one to greet us on arrival and no contact from booking .com as to how to access the property. We found 2 employees working in the function room who were able to give us the key code

Superb!

10.0

The Kingston Estate is hidden in the beautiful Devon countryside, accessed only by single track lanes, which is quite an experience if this isn't your norm, especially when faced with a lorry coming the other way. However, there are lots of passing spaces so you never have to reverse very far and the test of nerves is absolutely worth it as the Estate is stunning and so is the accommodation. We stayed in the Great Barn which can accommodate 16 guests. Downstairs there are 2 x triple single bedrooms with ensuite showers/bathrooms and upstairs there are 5 x double bedrooms with ensuite showers/bathrooms, all with TV. The lounge has 3 large leather sofas and extra fold up chairs and the modern, well stocked kitchen has a large wooden table and benches. The estate gardens, which guests are free to walk around, are full of established flower beds, mature fruit trees and plenty of garden benches to rest and absorb the beauty of the estate. The children's play area with trampoline was a bonus for the younger members of our party and the 11+ year olds enjoyed running around the grounds (murder in the dark at night), but would have liked a games room/barn to occupy them more. We did take up the generous offer of free coffees from the estate coffee house which we appreciated and enjoyed, and did use the affiliated fitness club (30 mins drive from the estate), which had a good, warm pool and well stocked gym with modern changing rooms and showers. It was no surprise that the Kingston Estate is a popular wedding venue, so weekends in the summer months are likely to be booked up for this purpose, but as we were happy to stay Sunday to mid week, it was perfect for our family. The coast is not far from the estate with Paignton around 22 mins drive, Torquay around 30 mins and Brixham Harbour around 35 mins.

− We were expecting a swimming pool as advertised by Booking.com, but the owner quickly informed us that it had been out of action for a while, as a part was now obsolete and so was the pool, but that we could visit a local fitness club for free instead. We did inform Booking.com about this situation but the website has still not be altered to reflect there is no swimming pool for guests on site. We were also expecting a communal games room, but there wasn't one. Given this is such a large estate, a games rooms would be a bonus for large groups of 'non-wedding guests' staying like us. We would also have appreciated a welcome pack containing some recommendations for pubs, restaurants, places to visit etc locally. This is nitpicking though! We've never stayed anywhere better.

Beautiful cottage, idyllic estate grounds. Perfect for our family of 8 to relax and have fun.

7.0

The property was beautiful and exactly what we had hoped for ☺️

− Sadly the pool was closed.